US5901976A - Airbag lid - Google Patents

Airbag lid Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US5901976A
US5901976A US08/839,089 US83908997A US5901976A US 5901976 A US5901976 A US 5901976A US 83908997 A US83908997 A US 83908997A US 5901976 A US5901976 A US 5901976A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
lid
inner layer
outer layer
layers
airbag
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US08/839,089
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Kreuzer
Albrecht Hufgard
Stefan Bohn
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ZF Automotive Safety Systems Germany GmbH
Original Assignee
TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH filed Critical TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
Assigned to MST AUTOMTIVE GMBH AUTOMOBIL-SICHERHEITSTECHNIK (A GERMAN CORPORATION) reassignment MST AUTOMTIVE GMBH AUTOMOBIL-SICHERHEITSTECHNIK (A GERMAN CORPORATION) ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: BOHN, STEFAN, HUFGARD, ALBRECHT, KREUZER, MARTIN
Assigned to TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH reassignment TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: MST AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, AUTOMOBIL-SICHERHEITSTECHNIK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5901976A publication Critical patent/US5901976A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/205—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in dashboards
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/215—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member
    • B60R21/2165—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components characterised by the covers for the inflatable member characterised by a tear line for defining a deployment opening
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components

Definitions

  • the present invention concerns a lid for an airbag accommodated in the instrument panel of a motor vehicle.
  • Lids of this genus are for reasons of function and esthetics adapted to their environment with respect to the design of their materials and exterior, meaning that they are as unremarkable a part of the wall of the instrument panel facing the passengers as possible.
  • the panels usually have a textured and leatherlike surface that, although relatively soft itself, constitutes the skin of a hard molding of injected plastic.
  • the lids themselves accordingly have a hard and dimensionally stable core and a soft exterior.
  • Instrument panels of this genus are themselves standard equipment, even in many small automobiles, although their manufacture requires considerable expenditure.
  • recourse has been had with respect to many less expensive vehicle models to producing the instrument panels in one piece out of a comparatively hard plastic, which is essentially simpler from the aspect of manufacturing technology although it necessarily results in a hard surface that does not match most of the lids so far employed.
  • the lid should, however, match the instrument panel in these cases as well.
  • an airbag lid characterized in that it comprises a lower layer of soft and resilient plastic and an outer layer of hard plastic and in that both layers are essentially fastened together adhering totally surface to surface.
  • the airbag lid in accordance with the present invention is particular characterized in that the outer layer is made of a plastic that matches the material of the surface of the instrument panel in appearance, feel, and acoustics.
  • FIG. 1 is a section through an airbag lid according to the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a transverse section through an airbag lid 1 in accordance with the present invention. It is slightly concavely saddle-shaped perpendicular to the picture plane, matching the configuration of the surrounding instrument panel.
  • Airbag lid 1 comprises a lower layer 2 of soft and resilient plastic and an outer layer 3 of hard plastic. Layers 2 and 3 are in accordance with the present invention essentially fastened together adhering totally surface to surface, ensuring that, if the lid breaks when the airbag is actuated, any fragments will remain adhering to soft lower layer 2 and will not fly around out of control in the interior of the vehicle.
  • Lower layer 2 is provided with a reinforcement 4 of sheetmetal, textile, wire net, or a similar material that will maintain airbag lid 1 attached as a whole to the instrument panel when it swings up consequent to sudden inflation of the airbag.
  • Reinforcement 4 can be secured directly to the instrument panel or to the inner surface of the vehicle. It can alternatively extend into a mounting web 6 (the one to the left) molded onto the lower layer 2 of airbag lid 1 and constituting a connection between airbag lid 1 and the airbag housing and the instrument panel or the wall of the vehicle.
  • Such versions usually also have framing components 5 and another mounting web 6 at the other end (to the right) that are also integrated into the lower layer by way of a breakoff point 7. Framing components 5 stabilize and position airbag lid 1 in relation to its surroundings.
  • Bending line 8 operates in conjunction with a breakoff line 9, also represented by a thinning of the material, in outer layer 3 when the airbag inflates and airbag lid 1 swings up.
  • the airbag lid 1 in accordance with the present invention can easily be adapted to any instrument panel that consists of a relatively hard material and can accordingly be cost-effectively produced because the lid's intimate and total surface-to-surface adhesion to the non-fragmenting material of lower layer 2 will prevent any fragments that break off when the airbag suddenly inflates from flying around. All fragments of harder outer layer 3 will, rather, be securely held in place by softer lower layer 2 and will cause no injuries.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)
  • Instrument Panels (AREA)
  • Injection Moulding Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
US08/839,089 1996-04-27 1997-04-23 Airbag lid Expired - Lifetime US5901976A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19616942 1996-04-27
DE19616942A DE19616942B4 (de) 1996-04-27 1996-04-27 Airbag-Abdeckkappe

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5901976A true US5901976A (en) 1999-05-11

Family

ID=7792665

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US08/839,089 Expired - Lifetime US5901976A (en) 1996-04-27 1997-04-23 Airbag lid

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US5901976A (de)
EP (1) EP0803410B1 (de)
JP (1) JP3099315B2 (de)
KR (1) KR100263129B1 (de)
BR (1) BR9701934A (de)
CA (1) CA2203823A1 (de)
DE (2) DE19616942B4 (de)
ES (1) ES2212009T3 (de)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6161864A (en) * 1997-12-08 2000-12-19 Trw Occupant Restraint Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system
US6390497B1 (en) * 2000-09-01 2002-05-21 Hyundai Motor Company Airbag door of a vehicle
WO2002066298A1 (de) * 2001-02-05 2002-08-29 Intier Automotive Eybl Gmbh Innenausstattungsteil für kraftfahrzeuge sowie verfahren zur herstellung
US6460880B1 (en) * 1995-04-21 2002-10-08 Textron Automotive Company, Inc. Method of forming a motor vehicle instrument panel with a flexibly tethered air bag deployment door
US6523854B1 (en) * 1998-05-27 2003-02-25 Volkswagen Ag Vehicle part with an airbag device and method for producing a vehicle part of this type
US6533314B2 (en) 1999-12-30 2003-03-18 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Instrument panel with integral hidden door cover and method of manufacture thereof
US20030082310A1 (en) * 1999-05-19 2003-05-01 Thomas Grossklaus Bumper and bumper protecting strip and method for the painting of same
US20030085555A1 (en) * 1999-12-07 2003-05-08 Segura Jose M. Air bag covering assembly and method and apparatus for the production of an air bag covering
US6874809B1 (en) * 1999-05-06 2005-04-05 Magna Eybl Gmbh Lining for columns of automobiles
US20060131844A1 (en) * 2004-12-16 2006-06-22 Lisandro Trevino Airbag assembly for improving force distribution
US20080203709A1 (en) * 2007-02-06 2008-08-28 Lisa Draxlmaier Gmbh Directional device for deployment of an airbag
US20110316261A1 (en) * 2004-02-20 2011-12-29 Harry Niessner Airbag cover for an airbag in a motor vehicle
US20140203540A1 (en) * 2011-09-01 2014-07-24 Faurecia Interieur Industrie Vehicle Safety Device
US9321419B2 (en) * 2014-09-17 2016-04-26 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Seamless instrument panel passenger air bag door
EP3345794A1 (de) * 2017-01-10 2018-07-11 International Automotive Components Group GmbH Airbaganordnung und verfahren zur herstellung davon
EP3730354A1 (de) * 2019-04-24 2020-10-28 Faurecia Intérieur Industrie Airbagsystem für ein fahrzeug und verfahren zur herstellung des airbagsystems

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10142559B4 (de) * 2001-08-30 2015-04-16 Volkswagen Ag Innenverkleidungsteil für ein Kraftfahrzeug
DE10151367B4 (de) * 2001-10-17 2007-11-08 Faurecia Innenraum Systeme Gmbh Innenverkleidungsteil für Kraftfahrzeuge
DE10231131C5 (de) * 2002-07-10 2020-01-09 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Armaturenbrett für ein Fahrzeug
DE102007028621B4 (de) * 2007-01-16 2013-08-01 Johnson Controls Interiors Gmbh & Co. Kg Fahrzeug-Ausstattungsteil mit Airbagaustrittsdeckel
DE102007023075B4 (de) 2007-05-16 2016-06-02 Volkswagen Ag Kunststoff-Innenausstattungsteil aus Hartkunststoff mit einer Abdeckung für einen Airbag eines Airbag-Moduls
DE102008045700A1 (de) * 2008-09-04 2010-03-11 Autoliv Development Ab Airbagabdeckung sowie ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Airbagabdeckung
DE102009032580B4 (de) * 2009-07-10 2013-04-18 International Automotive Components Group Gmbh Abdeckung für einen Airbag

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4097064A (en) * 1975-09-30 1978-06-27 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Air-cushion device with a cover and a cover cutter
DE3918281A1 (de) * 1989-06-05 1990-12-06 Audi Ag Aufprallschutzvorrichtung fuer ein kraftfahrzeug, insbesondere im bereich eines beifahrers
US5082310A (en) * 1989-11-06 1992-01-21 Tip Engineering Group, Inc. Arrangement for providing an air bag deployment opening
DE4306149A1 (de) * 1993-02-27 1994-09-01 Opel Adam Ag Abdeckung für die Öffnung eines einen Airbag aufnehmenden Raumes
GB2287226A (en) * 1994-03-10 1995-09-13 Autoliv Dev Cover for a vehicle air bag arrangement

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4120516A (en) * 1975-12-05 1978-10-17 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Cover member for a safety air-cushion device and a method of producing the same
US5316822A (en) * 1991-07-23 1994-05-31 Nihon Plast Co., Ltd. Cover for vehicular air bag
CN1104159A (zh) * 1994-03-18 1995-06-28 高田株式会社 空气囊装置专用盖和树脂制空气囊
US5685930A (en) * 1995-03-31 1997-11-11 Davidson Textron Inc. Motor vehicle instrument panel with flexible tethering hinged air bag deployment door
JPH09226413A (ja) * 1996-02-21 1997-09-02 Toyota Motor Corp インストルメントパネル及びインストルメントパネルの成形方法

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4097064A (en) * 1975-09-30 1978-06-27 Nissan Motor Company, Limited Air-cushion device with a cover and a cover cutter
DE3918281A1 (de) * 1989-06-05 1990-12-06 Audi Ag Aufprallschutzvorrichtung fuer ein kraftfahrzeug, insbesondere im bereich eines beifahrers
US5082310A (en) * 1989-11-06 1992-01-21 Tip Engineering Group, Inc. Arrangement for providing an air bag deployment opening
DE4306149A1 (de) * 1993-02-27 1994-09-01 Opel Adam Ag Abdeckung für die Öffnung eines einen Airbag aufnehmenden Raumes
GB2287226A (en) * 1994-03-10 1995-09-13 Autoliv Dev Cover for a vehicle air bag arrangement

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6460880B1 (en) * 1995-04-21 2002-10-08 Textron Automotive Company, Inc. Method of forming a motor vehicle instrument panel with a flexibly tethered air bag deployment door
US6161864A (en) * 1997-12-08 2000-12-19 Trw Occupant Restraint Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system
US6523854B1 (en) * 1998-05-27 2003-02-25 Volkswagen Ag Vehicle part with an airbag device and method for producing a vehicle part of this type
US6874809B1 (en) * 1999-05-06 2005-04-05 Magna Eybl Gmbh Lining for columns of automobiles
US20030082310A1 (en) * 1999-05-19 2003-05-01 Thomas Grossklaus Bumper and bumper protecting strip and method for the painting of same
US6773045B2 (en) 1999-05-19 2004-08-10 Peguform Gmbh & Co. Kg Bumper for motor vehicle
US20040224099A1 (en) * 1999-05-19 2004-11-11 Thomas Grossklaus Bumper and bumper protective strip and method for the painting of the same
US20030085555A1 (en) * 1999-12-07 2003-05-08 Segura Jose M. Air bag covering assembly and method and apparatus for the production of an air bag covering
US6533314B2 (en) 1999-12-30 2003-03-18 Delphi Technologies, Inc. Instrument panel with integral hidden door cover and method of manufacture thereof
US6390497B1 (en) * 2000-09-01 2002-05-21 Hyundai Motor Company Airbag door of a vehicle
WO2002066298A1 (de) * 2001-02-05 2002-08-29 Intier Automotive Eybl Gmbh Innenausstattungsteil für kraftfahrzeuge sowie verfahren zur herstellung
US20110316261A1 (en) * 2004-02-20 2011-12-29 Harry Niessner Airbag cover for an airbag in a motor vehicle
US8505964B2 (en) * 2004-02-20 2013-08-13 Johnson Controls Interiors Gmbh & Co. Kg Airbag cover for an airbag in a motor vehicle
US7234726B2 (en) 2004-12-16 2007-06-26 Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. Airbag assembly for improving force distribution
US20060131844A1 (en) * 2004-12-16 2006-06-22 Lisandro Trevino Airbag assembly for improving force distribution
US20080203709A1 (en) * 2007-02-06 2008-08-28 Lisa Draxlmaier Gmbh Directional device for deployment of an airbag
US8181986B2 (en) * 2007-02-06 2012-05-22 Lisa Dräxlmaier GmbH Directional device for deployment of an airbag
US20140203540A1 (en) * 2011-09-01 2014-07-24 Faurecia Interieur Industrie Vehicle Safety Device
US9156428B2 (en) * 2011-09-01 2015-10-13 Faurecia Interieur Industrie Vehicle safety device
US9321419B2 (en) * 2014-09-17 2016-04-26 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Seamless instrument panel passenger air bag door
EP3345794A1 (de) * 2017-01-10 2018-07-11 International Automotive Components Group GmbH Airbaganordnung und verfahren zur herstellung davon
DE102017100330A1 (de) * 2017-01-10 2018-07-12 International Automotive Components Group Gmbh Airbag-Anordnung und Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung
EP3345794B1 (de) 2017-01-10 2019-06-12 International Automotive Components Group GmbH Airbaganordnung und verfahren zur herstellung davon
US11117541B2 (en) 2017-01-10 2021-09-14 International Automotive Components Group Gmbh Airbag arrangement and method for manufacturing the same
EP3730354A1 (de) * 2019-04-24 2020-10-28 Faurecia Intérieur Industrie Airbagsystem für ein fahrzeug und verfahren zur herstellung des airbagsystems
US11351944B2 (en) 2019-04-24 2022-06-07 Faurecia Interieur Industrie Airbag system for a vehicle and method for manufacturing the airbag system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0803410A2 (de) 1997-10-29
KR100263129B1 (ko) 2000-08-01
JPH1053088A (ja) 1998-02-24
ES2212009T3 (es) 2004-07-16
DE19616942A1 (de) 1997-11-06
DE19616942B4 (de) 2005-06-16
CA2203823A1 (en) 1997-10-27
BR9701934A (pt) 1998-09-15
JP3099315B2 (ja) 2000-10-16
DE59711088D1 (de) 2004-01-22
EP0803410A3 (de) 2000-08-30
KR970069652A (ko) 1997-11-07
MX9703071A (es) 1998-06-30
EP0803410B1 (de) 2003-12-10

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5901976A (en) Airbag lid
US5772240A (en) Air-bag arrangement
US5516143A (en) Windowed airbag cover
US5129694A (en) Laminated inside door handle assembly and method
US7237797B2 (en) Instrument panel having modular airbag door assembly
US5779262A (en) Car interior finish member with air bag cover
US6248200B1 (en) Method of making a trim panel assembly including integral arm rest portion
US5407225A (en) Invisible airbag door having reinforced PVC shell
US20030080540A1 (en) Seamless door system for an airbag
US5915724A (en) Airbag cover assembly with integrated hinge
EP1145923A3 (de) Instrumententafel für ein Kraftfahrzeug und Verfahren zu deren Herstellung
EP0748722A3 (de) Innenverkleidungsteil für ein Kraftfahrzeug mit einem Luftsack und Herstellungsverfahren dafür
US6401397B2 (en) Sealing profile having a two layer covering element
US7073817B2 (en) Airbag module door assembly
US20060214461A1 (en) Instrument panel having flexible steering wheel column closeout and method for assembling same
MXPA97003071A (en) Cover for bag of a
US5964493A (en) Sun visor for vehicles
JP4487795B2 (ja) 車両用ドアの自動開閉装置
JPH05162604A (ja) エアバツグ装置
JPS6012257B2 (ja) ア−ムレスト付自動車用物入れ構造
KR200149452Y1 (ko) 사이드미러용 인너가니쉬
KR100333858B1 (ko) 자동차의 글로브 박스
JP3239813B2 (ja) エアバッグ用パネル
JPH08108818A (ja) エアバッグ装置用ドアトリム
JP3863402B2 (ja) ワイパグロメット及びワイパ装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: MST AUTOMTIVE GMBH AUTOMOBIL-SICHERHEITSTECHNIK (A

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:HUFGARD, ALBRECHT;BOHN, STEFAN;KREUZER, MARTIN;REEL/FRAME:008523/0550

Effective date: 19970418

AS Assignment

Owner name: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GMBH, GERMANY

Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:MST AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, AUTOMOBIL-SICHERHEITSTECHNIK;REEL/FRAME:008848/0245

Effective date: 19970731

STCF Information on status: patent grant

Free format text: PATENTED CASE

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 8

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 12